Police investigating the deaths of Toronto billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman say they were murdered. No suspects have been arrested. 

By: AP

Police said Friday they believe Canadian drug-company billionaire businessman Barry Sherman and his wife were both murdered.

Det. Sgt. Susan Gomes said investigators came to the conclusion after six weeks of investigation, but said there are no suspects.

The founder of generic drugmaker Apotex and his wife, Honey, were found dead in their mansion on Dec. 15. Gomes said the two were found hanging by belts from a railing that surrounds their indoor pool and were in a semi-seated position on the pool deck.

“We have sufficient evidence to describe this as a double homicide investigation and that both Honey and Barry Sherman were in fact targeted,” Gomes said.

She said they were last seen alive in the evening hours of Wednesday Dec. 13 and were not heard from again until their bodies were found late Friday morning.

Gomes said there are no signs of forced entry at access points of the home. She declined to discuss the evidence, possible motives or suspects.

“We haven’t developed any suspects,” Gomes said.

The day after the bodies were found, some prominent news media outlets quoted unidentified police officials as saying the deaths appeared to be a murder-suicide. That upset the couple’s four adult children, who then hired their own team of investigators and a pathologist, who conducted second autopsies on the Shermans.

The family said in a statement Friday that the new conclusion “was expressed by the family from the outset and is consistent with the findings of the independent autopsy and investigation.”

“The family continues to support the Toronto Police Service in their efforts to seek justice for their parents and pursue those responsible for these unspeakable crimes,” the statement added

Police have released the home back to the family.

Known for philanthropy

Toronto police investigators have scoured the 12,000-square-foot home, hauled away the couple’s cars and even checked the sewers in one of Toronto’s most exclusive neighborhoods for clues. Police have taken 125 witness statements and analyzed the surveillance video in the neighborhood.

Canadian Business magazine recently estimated Sherman’s worth at 4.77 billion Canadian dollars ($3.65 billion), making him the 15th richest person in the country.

As they became wealthy, the couple became known for philanthropy. They gave tens of millions to the United Jewish Appeal, donated to a geriatric hospital in Toronto and sent medicine to disaster zones. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the funeral, and Sherman is posthumously due to receive one of the country’s highest civilian honors this year.

Friends and family say the couple had been making plans for the future.

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Police are investigating the deaths of Toronto billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman as “suspicious.”

By: AP and World Israel News Staff

Toronto billionaire and philanthropist Barry Sherman, 75, and his wife Honey, 70, were found dead in their mansion Friday, and police said they were investigating the deaths as “suspicious.”

Toronto Police spokesman Mark Pugash said Saturday the deaths are suspicious based on what they know, but offered no other details. Police earlier said there were no signs of forced entry and there was no outstanding suspect they were going after.

Autopsies were performed Saturday on the bodies, but results have not yet been released.

Police were called to the Sherman home in an upscale neighborhood of north Toronto just before noon on Friday in response to a “medical complaint.”

There have been reports that the deaths involved a homicide-suicide scenario. The family disputed these allegations.

Family urges thorough, objective investigation

The Sherman family issued a statement Saturday urging police to conduct a “thorough, intensive and objective criminal investigation” into their parents’ deaths and urged the media to avoid speculating on the cause of the deaths.

“Our parents shared an enthusiasm for life and commitment to their family and community totally inconsistent with the rumors regrettably circulated in the media as to the circumstances surrounding their deaths,” the statement read.

“I am beyond words right now,” Ontario health minister Eric Hoskins wrote in his tweet. “Incredible philanthropists, great leaders in health care. A very, very sad day.”

Barry Sherman was the chairman of generic drug maker Apotex, which he founded in 1974 with two employees. It went on to become the largest Canadian-owned pharmaceutical company.

Along the way he amassed a vast fortune, which Canadian Business magazine estimated at $4.77 billion Canadian (US$3.65 billion) to make him the 15^th richest Canadians.

The company employs more than 10,000 people in research, development, manufacturing and distribution facilities world-wide, with more than 6,000 employees at its Canadian operations.

Sherman has also been an active philanthropist, including donating $50 million Canadian (US$39 million) to the United Jewish Appeal.

Active lobbyist for Liberal party

He had also become a lobbyist for the Liberal Party in recent years, but was criticized for holding a pay-for-access fundraiser at his home in August 2015, two months ahead of the Canadian federal election, which was attended by then-candidate Trudeau.

“Sophie and I are saddened by news of the sudden passing of Barry and Honey Sherman,” Trudeau said. “Our condolences to their family & friends, and to everyone touched by their vision & spirit.”

Honey Sherman was a member of the board of the York University Foundation. She also served on the boards of Mount Sinai’s Women’s Auxiliary, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the International American Joint Distribution Committee.

“All of us at Apotex are deeply shocked and saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time,” the company said in a statement.

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